Comments Thread For: Johnny Nelson Cautions Why Fighters Like Mike Tyson Should Stay Away

[BIGPOPPAPUMP]

Former world champion and Sky Sports pundit Johnny Nelson is not in favor of the recent widespread chatter to have well known heavyweights of the past come out of retirement. In the last few weeks, former champions Mike Tyson, Evander Holyfield and James Toney have all explained the desire to enter the ring again - at least on an exhibition level.
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[rudy]

Nelson makes me laugh do you ever hear anybody mention him making a comeback

[Johnny_Roa]

Fcking jelly Tyson will make millions i see

[johnnycontrolet]

Tyson made his last fight 2005 not 2015

[vitruvian]

Okay there are two perspectives to look at here about what Nelson is saying. First he is not taking into consideration where Mike was in life and in his heart at that time. He barely had the desire to get out of bed in the morning let alone train. He hated himself and was self destructing on drugs. I recall him talking about how he ate alone literally. He was a shell of a man let alone fighter. If his determination is even average he'll perform leaps and bounds better than the Williams/McBride Tyson did. Second lends more credibility to what Nelson is saying. This version however disenchanted was still 15 years younger than the one in that video of Tyson hitting the pads. Even with a will and determination of a beast a 53 year old man however fast and powerful he may seem offensively may crumble like a cookie when punches are coming back. Also moving into rounds 3, 4, or beyond. Tyson slowed down considerably in his prime in longer fights. I cannot convey how much my heart is with Mike to do this and honestly my heart wants to see him go beyond exhibition and test his mettle and pull a Rocky 6 script but my brain is saying otherwise. Perhaps stick to exhibition and spar Holyfield or Toney in a 4 rounder. I'm trying to imagine a 53 year old Tyson in round 6 or 7 against a guy he can't put away. That would break my heart. Like seeing Jordan not being able to touch the rim anymore or some s***.

[redmish]

Didn't Johnny Nelson try to get a fight with Huck a couple of years ago? He is right though.

[deathofaclown]

Didn't Johnny Nelson try to get a fight with Huck a couple of years ago? He is right though.

Yeah Nelson was talking of fighting Huck

Probably did some real sparring and thought otherwise.

Same as Nigel Benn’s comeback, said he got an injury..so why not reschedule? - I think the reality is he started sparring and realised he’s not Benn the fighter anymore.

Pretty much old pro will look great on the pads..

[archiemoore1]

Speed made Tyson who he was, as much as power and snap. And head movement. It's what allowed him to deliver that power. He threw 3 & 4 punch combinations at will. That kind of pace would tire out Tyson now. All a young gun would do is use his legs, stay defensive avoid trading, and use his jab until Tyson is sucking for air, then pick up the pace in the middle rounds firing off combos until tyson is outta there. Tyson obviously has to modify is style to fight at a slower pace, so his intimidation factor will be diminished, and that's a problem. Plus, how will Tyson feel and react after he starts getting hit upside the head remains to be seen. I'm sure he could do a solid 3 rounds and shine. Just get anyone in there who's slow and flat footed not named James Toney, who'll pick your ass apart. Holyfield, you can get some too. You want some get back with Lights Out? I love you and Tyson, but Toney will knock both yall out in back to back exhibitions. Larry Holmes will knock George Foreman's ass out too. George, get off the grill, put them chickens and steaks down and call Larry and set up that match you always avoided.

[TyrantT316]

He's right. Tyson hitting the pads brings back nostalgic memories. However, it's different when you're being hit by a young and strong opponent who has been doing this for years and has something to prove. It's different when you take that uppercut [like he did in the first round vs Lewis] and that plan you had, the "feel good" you've experienced at 53 year old is gone because you're brain is a little woozy. It's different if you've made it to round 4 and you're breathing hard, you can barely lift your arms effectively, you want to dodge and throw, but you can't. When your mind starts saying "i easily threw this body hook and uppercut in the 80s, but it hurts my torso and shoulder now." Tyson's power came from speed and intent. He looks fast in these videos, but it's different when you swing and miss, get hit and worry about getting hit back. It's different when an older man is chasing a mobile opponent and mentally tiring because he thinks "these young guys are just running" when really the young guy is boxing the way he's supposed to, picking you off, making you miss, conserving their energy and stopping you later.

He won't be able to sustain any kind of good pace. I could easily see him being stopped in 1 round as his body isn't made of what it used to be.

[TheReadyTimeBoy]

Hopefully this crap is all just hot air. I wouldn't mind seeing Mike box an exhibition or something, against someone else who is old

But people are forgetting how badly faded Tyson was at the end of his career- 15 years ago. He got stopped by Kevin McBride ffs. Putting him in with an active fighter would be disastrous.

Just goes to show how powerful Mike's aura still is, 30 years after he lost for the first time.